Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
236. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the number of times that the retail forum has met in both 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38637/26]
View answer237. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding any recommendations and actions emanating from the retail forum to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/26]
View answer238. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the mechanisms in place to ensure that the retail forum includes retailers in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38639/26]
View answer239. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the actions he is taking to ensure that the retail forum’s remit is widespread to include both urban, suburban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38640/26]
View answer240. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the membership of the retail forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38641/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 236 to 240, inclusive, together.
The Retail Forum, established in June 2014, allows key issues of relevance to the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by Government, or by industry itself, to support the sector with particular emphasis on achieving sustainable jobs growth in the sector.
The work of the Forum is driven by its members and issues identified as being critical to examine to support sustainable jobs growth in the retail sector.
As Minister for Retail I chair the Retail Forum. Membership of the Forum reflects a broad representation from the sector and includes retail representative bodies, retailers, public sector and academic bodies. Every effort is made to ensure that representation from the retail sector includes representatives that cover a mix of retail business size, sectors and urban/rural base.
In 2025 the Retail Forum met on three occasions 19 March, 25 June and 17 September. In 2026, the first meeting of the Retail Forum was held on the 3 March 2026.
Information on the Retail Forum including minutes, membership and terms of reference can be found on my Department’s website: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/the-business-environment/retail-and-locally-traded-enterprise/retail-sector/#forum
